2. Presentation to Provincial Coaching Conference Talent ID “Criteria led or gut feeling” Mr Roger Keenan High Performance Manager for Gaelic Games Sports Institute Northern Ireland Saturday 19 th January 2008

3. Provincial Strategy………………

4. Selection Criteria (Task) In Groups draw up a selection criteria for:  A Recruitment Programme (High Jump)  A Recruitment Programme (Javelin)  A Recruitment Programme (Kayaking)  Prioritise your criteria  Present your group’s findings

5. Selection Criteria (High Jump)  Above average height (5’10”)  Lean (low skin-folds)  Good Co-ordination  Explosive power (vertical jump)  Ability to execute the 2 step movement

6. Selection Criteria (Javelin)  Powerful (upper/lower body strength)  Above average height  Fast arm (explosive power)  Braking ability  Timing/Co-ordination

7. Selection Criteria (Kayaking)  Strong upper body/good all round athlete  Wide arm span  2000m rowing time of 7.45mins  200m freestyle swim of 2.15 mins  Aged between 17-24  Background in swimming, rowing, triathlon or similar

8. Provincial Strategy………………

9. Case Studies: Women’s Sprint Kayaking (2012) “Try before you buy” - Targeted Talent Recruitment - Multistage Talent Assessment - Coaching Interventions - Quality of Athlete - Talent Confirmation Criteria - World Class Talent Development

10. Provincial Strategy……………… Case Studies: Li Cunxin “Mao’s Last Dancer” - Plucked from obscurity/poverty - No real selection criteria (ROM) - No track record or passion for ballet - Strong family values/patriotism - A positive coaching experience - Hard work and determination - Driven by a fear of failure and a return to destitution

11. Provincial Strategy……………… GAA Performance Ladder (An indigenous sport) Under 10 / 12 Under 14 / 16 Under 18/21 Senior Development Squads Ulster Under 17 Minor Under 21 Sigerson Senior Ulster Ireland School & Club Regional Squads International / Provincial County, Higher Education & Development Squads PARTICIPATION PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION Nursery/Participation Talent ID

12. Provincial Strategy……………… The Process of Recruitment:  Scouting/observation  Trials  Blitz  Club Games  Referral/Clubs,Schools,Coaches  Training Camps  Current Form  Profiling (IRFU)

13. Provincial Strategy……………… Selection Criteria: 1.Performance Based -The best 2. Physiological - Physique 3. Behavioural Makeup - One that behaves like a champion** 4. Potential - “look for what might be not what is”

14. Selection Criteria Groups:  Draw up Cutting Criteria (Prioritise)  Watch the Video Clip  Decision – Select 1 Player  Justify your decision.  Present Provincial Strategy………………

15. Talent ID: Criteria Talent ID : What are we looking for?

16. Watch the Clip

17. Confirmation Criteria “ To retain and develop talent ” Groups:  Draw up a structured plan/criteria (Prioritise)  Individual?  Specific?  Procedure for players who struggle?  New players who emerge?  Present Provincial Strategy………………

18. Talent ID Confirmation Talent Confirmation Criteria : What are we looking for?

19. Confirmation Criteria “ To retain and develop talent ”  Establish player profile  Establish KPIs  Establish CSFs – What will make a difference  Individual Programme?  Review and reset targets?  Establish best practice Provincial Strategy………………

21. According to recent Studies of various Olympic sports many players/athletes identified at 14-16 are not making it through. Why?  Poor Talent ID Systems – incorrect criteria  Biological Development – Physical  Lifestyle Choices – Priorities  Poor Talent Confirmation System – no progression/feedback  Hunger – Some believe that they have “arrived”

22. Provincial Strategy……………… Conclusion Talent ID: - Components of Physical Fitness - Technical/Tactical Prowess - Lifestyle Issues - Character Issues Talent Confirmation - Seamless/structured approach - Profiling - Progress - Specificity Talent ID Criteria should become the bedrock of good coaching (see The LTAD Model) Physical Fitness Technical/Tactical Character Lifestyle Issues Profiling Progression Specificity

23. Provincial Strategy………………

24. “Remember geniuses come along once in a generation” So don’t get hung up on looking for perfection more try to facilitate talented players to be the best they can be by providing a structured system which is flexible but robust. Never dismiss a player without giving him/her a programme for development and hope of improvement. Talent ID/confirmation should be part of our coaching strategy from the FUNdamentals to Retention